Dr. Thomas McElvaney sat alone in the dimly lit control room of the Heaven’s Gate building. The usually bustling headquarters was eerily quiet at night, the hum of servers and the occasional flicker of monitors his only companions. He sipped his cold coffee, eyes fixed on the myriad of screens displaying game code and real-time data.
On a large screen to his left, a live feed of a special report played, the president’s voice cutting in and out with increasing frequency. The worsening communication issues and the relentless earthquakes had everyone on edge, and McElvaney was no exception. He’d been monitoring the game’s code for days, watching as anomalies and glitches spiked to unprecedented levels.
The president’s voice crackled through the static. “…increased seismic activity… communications infrastructure… solar flares…”
Dr. McElvaney leaned back in his chair, rubbing his tired eyes. He’d been at this for hours, trying to make sense of the erratic behavior in the game’s code. He hoped there would be more time before the end. He glanced at the screen, noticing a sudden surge in data flow, lines of code rewriting themselves in real-time. His heart sank; despite his best efforts, he couldn’t stave off what was about to happen next.
In the gloom, he watched as the president’s live feed cut suddenly, replaced by a glaring system message that appeared before his eyes.
System Message: Planetary Convergence Detected
Initiating System…
McElvaney’s eyes widened as he read the message. He had theorized about the possibility of such an event, but to see it confirmed was overwhelming. The lines of game code turned a heavenly golden, the algorithms rewriting themselves to accommodate the new realities of the merged worlds.
Quickly, he turned on the radio in his office to hear the president’s address, his voice barely audible. “…my fellow citizens… don’t panic… prepare… safe location…”
His heart pounded in his chest, but a smile grew wider. Unlike the masses, he had prepared for this day for decades. He adorned his black robe and gold mask. When he finished dressing, a raven flew in and landed on his shoulder.
“Ah, Poe, you’ve returned.” Dr. McElvaney stroked the bird’s charcoal feathers. Pulling out seeds from a pocket, he fed the messenger as the bird croaked thankfully. “Tell your master, I’m on my way.”
The bird nodded, ate one last seed, and flew out the window. Dr. McElvaney looked out the window as the bird disappeared into the night. Below, he saw mass panic. Armed militia roamed the streets, shooting, stealing, and overturning cars. Vehicles were lit on fire, and hysteria ensued.
Outside, people threw rocks through the building’s window and charged into the building. Dr. McElvaney took a deep breath and sighed. “It seems it finally time to go.”
Heading towards his capsule, he closed the lid, and disappeared from the world.
…
In Woodhaerst, Henry and Heather, and their families, sat grounded in the manor’s sitting room. The room was filled with anxious murmurs as they stared at their HUD.
System Message: Earth’s Probation Period Ending!
Attention all players, Earth probation period is ending. Your planet has been successfully connected to the Divine Network through Heaven’s Gate. Due to Earth’s insufficient energy and size, it will be merged with the game world for initiation. Welcome to the new era of interconnected existence.
“Henry?” Heather asked nervously cupping his hand. “
He quickly opened his interface, watching as the virtual and real worlds began to synchronize. The ground beneath his feet trembled slightly, a reminder of the earthquakes that had been plaguing Earth.
Just then, another system message appeared.
System Message: Topographical Changes
Players please be patient as significant changes to geography, climate, and ecosystem are underway. Territories and resources will remain tethered players. However, new resources, and potential hazards have been introduced. Stay alert for further updates.
A cold chill ran through Henry’s body. While he was happy to retain his territory, new hazards could undo all his hard work.
Turning his head to the window, the only thing visible was a bright source of light shining. He watched as the mountains in the distance disappeared and reemerged. He watched the river widen, the dam he built break, widen, and reconstruct. The landscape was in constant flux, reshaping itself to accommodate the new, merged world.
The room fell silent, everyone captivated by the transformation outside. The convergence had begun, and there was no turning back. Henry held Heather’s hand tighter, feeling the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders. The new era of interconnected existence was here, and they would face it together, ready to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from the entrance hall. Henry jumped to his feet, his concern etching upward. Heather and the others looked alarmed, their eyes darting to the door.
"Stay here," Henry commanded, his voice steady despite the chaos. He grabbed his axe from its spatial pocket and moved towards the door, Heather following close behind despite his instructions.
As they reached the entrance hall, they found the staff frozen like statues, pausing in time.
“What’s happening?" Heather whispered, slowly following Henry from behind.
Henry's mind raced. “Maybe the convergence paused the locals. Is it possible only that we earthlings are unaffected?” Turning to Heather, he said, "Let’s look outside."
Heather nodded, already moving to follow him.
The pounding on the doors grew louder, more insistent. Henry could hear shouts and the clamor of weapons outside. When he opened the door, he saw Dustin and other people with worried looks on their faces.
“Thank goodness you’re alright, buddy,” Dustin said, hugging Henry. “We came to check on you after receiving the message that territories were tethered to players.”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“Yeah, I’m fine. How are the rest of you?” Henry checked.
“Are your comms working?” asked a nervous adventurer. “We can’t talk to our contacts through HUD. We know you’re a developer with Heaven’s Gate; are you able to contact people?”
“Just a sec,” Henry tried to call Dustin. “No, my comms aren’t working either. Hold on, let me try something else.”
‘Alfred, are you there?’ Henry reached out to his A.I. companion.
“Still here! Unlike you earthlings, we messengers don’t get a break,” gone again was the pretense of a British personality.
‘Alfred, when will the comms work?’
“They won’t. The game world is gone. The rules of this world are changing. From now on, you’ll need a hand-held receiver to communicate over long distances just like the locals,” he explained.
Turning to face the crowd, Henry apologized, “It looks like all the game mechanics are disabled.”
“How will I ever see my mother again?” asked a tearful adventurer. “How will I even find them?”
“Look around, we don’t even know where we are, or where we’ll end up,” said another disenchanted adventurer.
The panic among their group was now full-blown. Panic was slowly turning into terror. In a matter of seconds, their emotions were wrung out by a roller coaster of feelings. Soon someone only had a bleak sense of despair. Alone, unable to say goodbye to their family and loved ones.
Henry stepped forward, his voice firm and reassuring, "You need to calm down. This convergence isn’t going to last forever. According to Priestess Thera, the gods put the people to sleep until the convergence is over.”
“Yeah, but we don’t know how long that’s going to last. We could die of hunger before then,” interrupted an adventurer.
“As long as we need to stick together, we’ll be fine. We can share food and supplies until this is over. If you’re worried about your family, you can always log out. No one is keeping you here. You are more than welcome to bring your family here,” Henry said trying to calm the situation.
“Henry’s right.” Dustin agreed. “This isn’t going to last forever, and once the locals are uh… unfrozen, things will return to normal.”
“I don’t know if the jump gates work, but you are also welcome to leave. It’s not like Henry and I are planning to hold you here against your will,” Heather reminded them.
“She right, as long as the jump gates work, we can explore the map quickly and find a way to reconnect with your families,” shouted another adventurer excitedly.
The crowd began to settle, their initial panic subsiding. Henry could see the flicker of hope returning to their eyes.
"For now, return to your house," Henry continued. "For those that want to stay, let’s meet tomorrow in the town hall. We’ll meet there until this is over."
Dustin nodded, “Sounds like a plan.”
As the adventurers dispersed, Henry gave a sigh of relief. The last thing he needed was a group of high-level adventurers panicking in his town.
Back in bed, Henry stared at the ceiling as listened to Heather’s gentle breathing. Henry took a deep breath and thought, ‘Alfred are you still there?’
“Still here,” Alfred said, his voice now calm and serene, exuding an air of divine wisdom.
“What’s going to happen once the worlds finish merging? What’s going to happen to Woodhaerst and Ironwood?”
Alfred sighed, his glowing eyes reflecting a mix of sympathy and restraint. “As the worlds merge, existing coordinates will dissolve. It’s impossible to compute the future location of your settlements.”
‘Are you saying Woodhaerst and Ironwood could end up in a desert or the bottom of an ocean?’ Henry asked, worry creeping into his voice.
“It’s possible, but I doubt the Goddess Demeter would let that happen to her followers. The gods have more power than you can imagen,” Alfred explained, his tone gentle but firm.
Henry nodded, trying to suppress his curiosity. “What about countries like the Akkadian Empire or the United States?
“The merging will bring about significant topographical changes,” Alfred began. “Cities as you know them will be ripped apart or expanded. New cities belonging to other races will emerge. The balance of nature will be altered, and you must be vigilant.”
Henry frowned. “How will levels work?”
Alfred hesitated. “I cannot specify exactly but levels will remain. The merging will create opportunities for growth and prosperity, but also for danger and divisiveness.”
Alfred smiled, a warm and reassuring gesture. “Know this, Demeter has not abandoned you. Embrace the new world with courage and caution. This is goodbye my friend. I’ll be watching over you.”
As Alfred’s form began to fade, Henry felt a renewed sense of purpose. The path ahead was uncertain, but he was not alone. With Heather by his side and the support of his community, he would face the challenges of this new era head-on.
“Thank you, Alfred,” Henry said quietly as the angelic messenger disappeared. “We’ll be ready.”
The room fell silent once more, but the weight of the conversation lingered. Henry felt his eyes growing tired, as he turned his head and went to sleep.
…
Back on Earth, the global panic was palpable as the planet expanded to three times its original size. The sudden and dramatic change sent shockwaves—both literal and figurative—through every corner of the globe.
In New York, skyscrapers that once towered confidently over the city now swayed precariously, their foundations unsettled by the rapid expansion. Entire blocks crumbled as the ground beneath them shifted. The iconic Statue of Liberty, standing resolutely amidst the chaos, now overlooked an altered harbor, its waters receding and expanding erratically.
Across the Atlantic, London fared no better. The Thames River swelled beyond its banks, flooding nearby streets and historic landmarks. The Tower Bridge, an emblem of the city, cracked under the strain, its once-sturdy supports giving way. Parliament and Big Ben, symbols of stability and governance, stood precariously on the edge of a massive fissure that split the city in two.
In Paris, the City of Light was plunged into darkness. The Eiffel Tower, a beacon of hope and romance, leaned dangerously as its base shifted. The Seine River roared with newfound ferocity, its waters tearing through the city and toppling centuries-old bridges.
Moscow faced its own trials as the Kremlin’s iconic red walls cracked and the domes of Saint Basil’s Cathedral swayed. The Moscow River expanded, swallowing parts of the city and creating new lakes and marshes. Political boundaries shifted overnight as the vast Russian landscape stretched even further, cities and towns suddenly separated by thousands of miles.
Beijing’s Forbidden City, a symbol of China’s enduring history, saw its ancient walls fracture. The Great Wall, visible from space, now extended even further, its once-linear path disrupted and twisted. The city’s high-rise buildings swayed as if in a dance, their foundations tested to the limits.
Governments struggled to maintain order. Communication with the rest of the world was sporadic, and within the country, cities once mere hours apart were now separated by vast, uncharted expanses. The people, resilient and resourceful, took to the streets, seeking safety and answers.
Houses toppled, and nearby cities found themselves separated by thousands of miles. The expansion of the Earth had redrawn the world map overnight. Political boundaries were now meaningless as the geography of the planet had been entirely rewritten.
In this new reality, cities from the Heaven’s Gate world began to appear on Earth. Majestic towers and mystical beasts emerged, blending seamlessly with the familiar yet altered Earthly environment. Overnight, the familiar classroom globes became relics of a bygone era.